In Anabelle Bryant’s wickedly romantic new series, secrets and seduction go hand in hand . . . Lunden Beckford, Duke of Scarsdale, has chosen to exile himself far from London, with its painful memories and cruel gossip. Forced back to town on business, he’s eager to make his stay as brief as possible. But first, he must honor his promise to find a suitable husband for his friend’s little … husband for his friend’s little sister. On one hand, Amelia Strathmore has grown into a stunning, statuesque beauty. On the other, the willful chit is more likely to scandalize a drawing room with her outspoken opinions than blush prettily. At least she agrees to accept his help—if he fulfills
certain conditions . . .
Though duty-bound to marry, Amelia longs to secretly enjoy some of life’s freedoms first. In this, as in many things, Lunden proves an excellent guide. In fact, Amelia’s girlhood admiration for her brother’s friend is fast becoming something far less innocent. Lunden believes he’s known too much darkness to offer any woman happiness. Yet Amelia is starting to see how much pleasure can lie within the right partnership—especially if one is willing to be a little wicked . . .
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Terrific story! Lady Amelia, is being pushed by her brother and parents, after a few years on the marriage mart, to take the plunge and choose a spouse. They wish to see her “settled” before her father’s failing health takes a turn for the worse. Amelia’s brother asks a friend, a reclusive duke, Lunden, to assist him in finding his sister an appropriate match.
While this plot may sound familiar, the writing pulled me in to a tale of longing, intrigue, secrets, and lust. Does Amelia’s brother have her best interests in mind, or his own? Why does Lunden keep his distance from the ton, he IS a duke after all. What does Amelia’s best friend Charlotte have hiding in her marriage?
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am looking forward to the next.
This is definitely for readers of historical romance who enjoy a tale with depth and feeling.
Annabelle Bryant has brought a man with Secrets that had made his life for over 10 years so lonely, not able to trust, or being able to forgive himself of his much loved older brothers untimely death. Or that his best friend was injured because of what had happened.
Annabelle then brings a young lady who is ready to be married but has done troublesome ways of making sure she could make her own decisions on whom she wanted to marry.
Bring them together with the brother making a deal with the guy to help get her married, then have the girl make a deal with the guy too and you have a plot that will backfire on one or the both of them.
In this book I could stop reading, except to sleep or go to work. Anabelle, has you trying to figure out what had happened that fateful night, with a creepy Lord who loves to spread gossip in a nasty way, a nefarious butler, a brother who wants something for himself not caring if his sister doesn’t want to marry an old man.
Annabelle weaves her words so wonderful that you had to keep reading , even ending with a sample of her next book in the series….can’t wait until that book comes out next spring.
Annabelle Bryant is now one of my favorite romance authors, her books are ones that will always be read and reread…
Lunden was such a broken man. My heart went out to him. He needed to find out that love may hurt but was a necessity. I loved Amelia’s determination to find her own husband and to torment her brother somewhat for his choices for her. Her views were based on what she saw around her, including the bad. Amelia and Lunden connected so strongly, but neither recognized it for what it was. The secondary characters also need healing and made the story that much better. I look forward to Matthew and Charlotte finding their respective HEAs (hopefully they will come). I recommend this story, and I look forward to more in this series.
I received an ARC of this story through Netgalley, and it is also a Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team selection. This is my unsolicited review.
I also had the pleasure of listening to this story in audiobook form. The story was given added dimension by Victoria Aston. She gave wonderful life to these characters and it reminded me why I liked the story in the first place.
This story is captivating from the very start. There’s no way you won’t fall for Scarsdale and Amelia!
Scarsdale pretty much checked out ten years earlier, exiling himself for mistakes, sadness and scandals of the past. He’s such a likable hero, loyal and honorable to his family and friends, but I wanted to shake him at times for being so hard on himself. Though his life is shadowed in sadness, Amelia will prove to lighten his spirit and possibly open his heart to happiness.
Amelia is fighting for her future, one based on her wishes and desires, not thrust upon her by the men in her life, as society would dictate. Wow, what a strong and determined woman, intent on arming herself and demanding the pleasures and freedoms she deserves.
A great mixture of so many secrets, intrigue, romance and love, “London’s Wicked Affair” is wonderfully written, with amazing storylines, a host of interesting and likable characters, and a roller coaster of emotions. I love how there are wonderful layers deliciously woven throughout this story that remain to be unraveled in future books. A very satisfying read, but also a great tease for what comes next. Highly recommend this first book in a wonderful new series, Midnight Secrets! And excited to celebrate Anabelle Bryant now in print!
Great start to the series!
First of all, falling in love with your best friend’s sibling is one of my all time favorite tropes! Second, the chemistry between the hero and heroine is amazing. This is the second time I read this book and I absolutely love the scene where the ink gets knocked over and then blamed on the cat!! Third, the characters are wonderful. The hero is anguished over his brother’s death and needs closure. The heroine is a strong, intelligent female who does not let anyone tell her how to live her life. Which is exhibited by how she handles the fact that her brother betroths her to an unacceptable older gentleman for his own gain. Her brother by the way I took issue with, he did get better towards the end of the book. But I am hoping he becomes more redeemable in his own story.
I am looking forward to finding out more about Charlotte and Lord Dearing’s relationship in the next book!
Lunden Beckford, Duke of Scarsdale, had been away from London for 10 years. He agrees to find Amelia Whittingham a husband but he is drawn to her himself. They have their ups and downs, but it is clear that they are perfect for each other. Amelia has a list of demands for any future husband. This book will make you laugh and cry. It is a very good read.
London’s Wicked Affair is the first book that I have read by Anabelle Bryant and I will definitely be reading more. Her writing is entertaining, engaging and full of lovable, laughable and sometimes sorrowful moments. This is a story of overcoming the guilt of the past and seeking freedom from societal strictures. Amelia is somewhat of a hellion who is determined to only marry for love although her brother has other plans. Lunden is a recluse by choice following the unfortunate death of his brother but has returned to London to settle affairs. His friend gives him somewhere to stay and in return wants help finding Amelia a husband. Amelia makes a bargain with Lunden. He helps her accomplish three goals and she will agree to marry whoever is chosen. The events that follow are filled with laughs, a few tears and some sigh worthy moments. Friendship leads to happily ever after.
Great story.
This book sat on my kindle for over a month, I picked it up through a Bookbub email and didn’t get around to reading it until a month later when I was off for Christmas break. I was enthralled by it. I couldn’t put it down!
I loved the head-strong Amelia Strathmore and the fact that she wanted to experience some excitement in life before being doomed to a loveless, boring marriage arranged by her older brother, Matthew.
Matthew took a bullet in the leg defending the honor of Lunden Beckford, the reclusive Duke of Scarsdale. Matthew enlists Lunden’s help in finding the uncooperative Amelia a husband with the aid of a tad bit of guilt. Once agreeing to the task Lunden discovers that Amelia’s strong inclinations toward the mistreatment of women as second class citizens she has been removing potential candidates from the list of suitors through her actions toward those suitors.
Once Lunden tell Amelia about the agreement between himself and her brother, she agrees to be amenable to the prospects of marriage on the agreement that Lunden will help her achieve 3 items that Amelia has placed on a list of things she wants to do before being locked into the restraints of marriage. Lunden reluctantly agrees to Amelia’s demands. And so the adventures begin…
The play between Lunden and Amelia was humorous as well as Amelia’s mischievous relationship with Matthew. I laughed out load several times during the reading of this book.
This is the first book that I have read of Anabella Bryant’s and I guarantee it won’t be that last. I have already pre-ordered the next 2 books in the series. Ms Bryant has set the stage for the second book in the series, Charlotte, Amelia’s best friend, is in an arranged marriage that both believe is loveless because of the often distant attitude of Charlotte’s husband. I can’t wait until the end of March to find out more.
Loved this book. Wonderful!!!!
I loved this book! I have read all of Anabelle’s kindle books and I am so excited for her first print book! This is well written and so interesting. Once you open the book and meet her characters you will not want to put it down. Lunden with his clouded past and Amelia, an independent woman with ideas of her own, are complex characters. This book will keep you guessing and you will enjoy it from cover to cover! Congratulations Anabelle Bryant on another wonderful story and your first book in print!
London’s Wicked Affair by Anabelle Bryant is the First book in the Midnight Secrets series. This is the story of Amelia Strathmore and Lunden Beckford, Duke of Scarsdale.
Lunden put himself in exile from London after a scandal broke. No wanting to return but having to do so to attend business after his brother’s death goes to stay at his friends Matthew’s house. There, he is ask by his good friend to help with Matthew’s sister Amelia. To me Lunden does feel he deserves a good women and does not know what to do with the feelings that Amelia is bring out in him. Amelia has always had a place in her heart for her brother good friend and that just seem to keep growing each day with him. Amelia wants some small adventures before turning her life over and works to get Lunden to achieve them.
I am such a fan of Ms. Bryant’s writing that I became so happy to know she is starting a new series. This book was such a great start to that series…loved it!!
This was a wonderful start to the new series Midnight Secrets. My favorite trope of the damaged hero who needs to be redeemed and find love. Lunden, Duke of Scarsdale has so many terrible and painful memories, he tries to seclude himself away from society. Forced to go to town on business he has also promised to help his friend’s sister Amelia find a suitable husband. Having admired Lunden when she was a child, she agrees to his help, but look out for her spirited and outspoken nature!
I loved Lunden and Amelia. He was so complex and tried to hide all of his pent up angst and feelings. Amelia was really not looking forward to being married and basically being her husband’s property.
A delightful story that will keep you turning the pages as the relationship develops between these two!
They both need love and hopefully they will find it with each other!! A really great story.
Matthew Strathmore, Earl of Whittington, is determined to get his sister, Amelia, married and out of his London townhouse. Their parents live in the country as his father can’t breathe well in the London air. She wants a love match, not the men he introduces her to. He has a hidden agenda having to do with the Society for the Intellectually Advanced.
Lunden Beckford, Duke of Scarsdale, despises London and the memories it brings him. He inherited his title from his deceased brother and has come to town to sell his townhouse. As he doesn’t want to socialize and asks to stay with Matthew. Matthew agrees if he’ll help find Amelia a husband.
Amelia’s best friend, Lady Charlotte Dearing is in an arranged marriage. Amelia believes she is unhappy and does not want her marriage to be like that. She likes Lunden and is glad her brother foisted her on him as she talks him into 3 adventures before having to marry. He’s attracted to her but believes he would be a bad choice. The rest, you must read for yourself. This is a new author for me and I look forward to reading more by her.
4 stars
3.5 Stars
Lunden Beckford, Duke of Scarsdale, has chosen to exile himself far from London, with its painful memories and cruel gossip. Now ten years later he’s forced back to town on business, he’s eager to make his stay as brief as possible. However first, he must honour his promise to find a suitable husband for his friend Matthew’s little sister. On one hand, Amelia Strathmore has grown into a stunning, statuesque beauty. On the other, the willful chit is more likely to scandalize a drawing room with her outspoken opinions than blush prettily. At least she agrees to accept his help—if he fulfills
certain three conditions. Though duty-bound to marry, Amelia longs to secretly enjoy some of life’s freedoms first. In this, as in many things, Lunden proves an excellent guide.
Whilst I enjoyed reading this book I didn’t love it. It was a well written book & the plot flowed very well & held my interest all the way through. The characters had plenty of flesh but I didn’t love them & I disliked Matthew & I’m not sure if he’s redeemable – I hope he has his story as I’ll be very interested to see if the author can achieve this. I found Amelia to be a feisty, independent & selfish but also I could empathise with her. I had conflicting feelings about Lunden, although he was tortured I thought he was honourable & was shocked to find he wasn’t but he did redeem himself in the end. I found Charlotte & Lord Dearing intriguing & look forward to their story.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I received an advanced copy through a giveway. This is my honest opinion. I enjoyed the storyline. This is a childhood acquaintances to lovers but I kept imagining Lunden as The Beast, an injured, appealing beast! Anabelle had a twist regarding a father-son relationship that surprised me! This book was less than 300 pages and I’m used to reading books closer to 400 pages. At times I wished for longer descriptions of the characters moving from place to place. They never left a room but suddenly arrived to another room it seemed. Nevertheless, I would recommend this romantic HEA!
I have been a fan of Ms. Bryant’s for a while and all of her stories are so wonderfully written. As you are reading, the mystery comes to light. It does not bang you in the head in Chapter 2 but slowly unravels in the story. I love that. Angsty hero? Here is one for your shelf. Lunden beats himself up all of the time and at times you want to say “stop it with the pity party, stuff happens and you have to get over it”. Yes, love the angst-filled hero. Amelia is just a bundle of let’s-go-for-all-of-the-gusto. Their differences bring each back to reality and their slow burn romance makes for a lovely story. The ending is right out of a fairytale.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
I fell in love with Lunden (though I wanted to shake him at times). Story kept me interested, with several twists. So many secrets!
Interesting storyline, but not the easiest to read. It was slow-going and seemed dragged out. I hope the next in the series picks up the pace.
Moping Around For 10 Years Does Not Honor the Lost
I wasn’t charmed by the hero and heroine in this story. Amelia’s opinions about the state of wives at that time were justifiable, but she had an immature way of expressing them. Lunden, although he suffered a very tragic loss, wallowed in desolation for too long. He even went so far as to believe what happened destroyed his honor, when in fact, his actions that evening were well-intentioned. Besides, his behavior before the tragedy wasn’t much different from the next adolescent of his status in London.
There are romantic moments, intrigue, and a great ending in this story. However, they didn’t quite dispel the depressing mood of the book.
London’s Wicked Affair by Anabelle Bryant was an interesting story, but at times it seemed a bit forced. Some of the explanations/situations were far fetched. Other times, I was completely absorbed. I was very intrigued by the hero and heroine. I rooted for them from the very beginning. I wasn’t a big fan of Amelia’s brother and their discussions about her marriage were repetitive. His complete change of attitude at the end wasn’t believable for me. That said though, this was an enjoyable read. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I will happily read another book by her.